Office



M. R.. JEWELL.

FILE BOX.

N0.408,979. Pmentedzxugls, 1889.

UNITED STATES l PATENT OFFICE.

MAJOR ROMEYN JEIVELL, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE OFFICE SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

' FILE-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 408,979, dated August 13, 1889.

Application filed February 6, 1889. Serial No. 298,879. (No model.)

This invention has reference to that class of boxes which are commonly used for the storage of letters transferred from letter-files in which they are arranged in flat form and commonly known in the art as transfer or storage boxes.

The aim of the invention is to provide au inexpensive box which may be shipped and stored in a fiat or knockdown form and speedily set up in rigid form by the user; and to this end it consists, essentially, in a series of Hat sections hinged together and provided at certain of their corners with metallic fastening devices, which are adapted to be united readily when the box is adj ust-ed for use.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view showing my box in its iiat or knockdown condition. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same as it appears in condition for use. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the box as it appears when closed. Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the two members constituting a corner fastening. Fig. G is a perspective view showing the manner in which the two parts of the fastening are brought together. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the same when completed. Fig. 8 is a modification of the fastening devices.

In proceeding to construct my box, which is of flat rectangular form with a hinged side or top, I provide a rectangular bottom sheet a and a top sheet b of corresponding size. To the respective edges of the bottom sheet a, I hinge the two side pieces a and Cand the two end pieces a3 and c4, these part-s being made of such size and form that when turned to a vertical position they will unite at the corners andform the four walls ot a box. To the outer edge of the rear side a2, Ihinge one edge of the top b, and to the outer edges of the top I hinge the two end strips b b2 and the front strip b3, so formed and arranged that when turned at right angles to the plane of the back they will form a rim or flange around its three edges.

' The hinge-joints between the several parts are commonly formed by strips ot cloth, leather, or other suitable material pasted over the joints after the manner commonly pracn ticed in book-binding and in the construction of pasteboard boxes.

For the purpose of firmly uniting the walls a2 a3 co4 of the box and maintaining them in their perpendicular position, and for uniting in like manner the edges b b2 b3 of the top, I provide metallic fastening devices, which are to be attached to the respective members of the box at the time of its manufacture and while it is in flat form, these fastenings being adapted to be bent and interlocked by hand when the box is erected for use. I'prefer to construct these fastenings in the form shown in Figs. 4. and 5, each consisting of two wire staples d d', having their ends bent at right angles, so that they may be secured by passing these ends through the sheets from one side and bending them down on the opposite sides. I apply a staple CZ at the rear edges of the end sections a3 and a4, allowing them to project beyond the same, as shown, and I apply to the opposite ends of the back a2 the corresponding staple CZ in such position that upon iirst turning the ends to an upright position, and then turningthe back upward, the staples (Z will pass through the staples d in the manner shown in Fig. 6, after which I bend the staple d backward and downward into a hook form, as shown in Fig. 7. In this manner I maintain a' close and rigid union at the corner of the box, securing the three walls a2 a3 co4 in their vertical positions. Y The top b has the twoends of its edge b3 provided with staples d', and the ends b and b2 provided with staples d, so that when these edges are turned up to their operative position they may be united by means of the staple in the same manner that the walls, the hinged front wall a. and a hinged lid, which latter serves not only to close the top and the bottom, but by engaging over IOO the hinged Wall d to hold the latter in positien.

In the box thus constructed I propose to employ filing or securing devices of any suitable construction to retain the sheets in potion, if desired. These devices, constituting no part of the invention, are not illustrated herein.

\Vl1ile it is preferred to construct the co1*- ner fastenings of Wire, it is to be understood that they maybe constructed of sheet metal in the form shown in Fig. 8, or any similar forni, if preferred. As herein shown, one part fl is provided with a slot and the other part (l with a tongue adapted to be passed therethrough and bent down on the outside. The two parts will be provided with prongs d2 and d3, or equivalent means for securing them permanently to the box.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. A knockdown box for the filing of papers and for similar purposes, consisting of a series of fiat sections hinged together at their edges and provided at their corners with me tallic fastening devices adapted to bc bent and interlocked.

2. The herein-described box, consisting of the bottom sheet and the side Walls hinged thereto, the top sheet and the edge strips hinged thereto, and the metallic fastening devices d and d applied at the corners and adapted to be interlocked, as described, to hold the box in operative position.

3. As an improvementin knockdownboxcs, the metallic staples (l and d', applied to the adjacent sides of the box and adapted to be bent and interlocked, substantially as dcscribed.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this Lith day of April, 1888, in the presence of tivo attesting witnesses.

MAJOR ROMEYN JEWELL. lVitnesses:

EDWIN S. JEWELL, GEO. B. GRAHAM. 

